Buyers | Top Us Debt

: This includes the Military Retirement Fund ($1.42 trillion) and the Civil Service Retirement Fund ($995 billion).

: Japan remains the top foreign creditor, a position it has held since surpassing China in 2019. China 's holdings have steadily declined, falling from a peak of $1.3 trillion in 2013 to under $700 billion by 2026. top us debt buyers

: These private institutional investors hold over $4.2 trillion in Treasury securities. : This includes the Military Retirement Fund ($1

: The United Kingdom has overtaken China as the second-largest foreign holder. This often reflects its status as a major global financial and custodial hub for hedge funds and institutional investors. : These private institutional investors hold over $4

The U.S. government effectively owes much of its debt to itself through internal programs and its central bank.

Foreign holdings account for approximately to $9.3 trillion of the total debt. As of February 2026, the top sovereign holders are: Estimated Holdings (Billions USD) Japan United Kingdom China (Mainland) Belgium Canada Luxembourg Cayman Islands France Source: Trading Economics and Visual Capitalist Key Market Shifts